Morrisville State College is selling a festive array of poinsettias.
The colorful plants, a popular decoration throughout the holidays, are on sale now through Friday, Dec. 9, at the Spader Horticulture Complex on the Morrisville State College campus, Monday through Friday, from noon to 4 p.m. The sale is open to the public.
The college’s poinsettias will also be sold Saturdays, Dec. 3 and 10, at the Regional Market in Syracuse, in Building C, along with wreaths and holiday arrangements crafted by MSC horticulture students.
“This is one of our best crops ever with many favorite varieties back by popular demand,” said David Soucy, associate professor of horticulture.
A warm, sunny fall drove the growth of this year’s crop, which was grown by students in Soucy’s Horticulture Production class. Started as root cuttings at the beginning of the semester, the crop produced more than 1,300 colorful blooms.
Featured in the sale are Titan Red—one of the biggest poinsettias the college has ever grown—as well as Dramatic Red and White Star. Also included are novelty poinsettias, those with bracts (modified leaves) which are uniquely variegated and colored, including Jingle-Bell Rock (multi-colored); Sonora White Glitter (speckled, multi-colored); Ice Punch (bright red mixed with white and pink); Sparkling Punch (red and white multi-colored).
“The sale also provides an opportunity for the public to see what students are doing here,” Soucy said.
The college’s Horticulture Institute plans and runs the sale, which raises money to enhance the college’s horticulture program. Through the institute, students gain hands-on entrepreneurial experience which enhances their skills, making them marketable in their field.
The poinsettias, which range in size from six- to eight-inch pots are being sold for $6.50 and $15. Only cash and checks are accepted as payment for the sales.